Kisumu
24/02/2016
Leaders in Kisumu County have thrown their weight behind the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) Phase 2B and 2C project following a high-level sensitization and engagement meeting convened by the National Land Commission (NLC) and the Kenya Railways Corporation.
The consultative forum, held in Kisumu, brought together key national and county leaders to deliberate on the upcoming railway expansion, which is scheduled to commence in March 2026 and conclude by June 2027.
Present at the sensitization forum were Kenya Railways Managing Director Philip Mainga; Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o; Kisumu East MP Shakeel Shabbir; Muhoroni MP James K’Oyoo; Kisumu West MP Rozaah Buyu; representatives from the offices of the Kisumu Senator and the County Woman Representative; Members of the County Assembly; regional security leaders; and senior officials from NLC and Kenya Railways.
The engagement focused on the extension of the SGR line from Narok through Kisumu and onward to Malaba. The 269-kilometre stretch to Kisumu forms part of the Government’s broader plan to enhance regional connectivity, facilitate cross-border trade, and unlock the economic potential of the western corridor.
Participants emphasized the importance of early and continuous sensitization of local leadership and communities to ensure seamless implementation of the project. Leaders welcomed the structured engagement approach, noting that proactive consultations would enhance public understanding, manage expectations, and foster local ownership of the project.
Representing NLC Chief Executive Officer Kabale Tache, Director of Valuation and Taxation Joel Ombati reiterated that the Commission, as an independent constitutional body, is mandated to undertake compulsory acquisition of land for public purposes in accordance with the law.
He noted that the Commission will oversee the compulsory acquisition process along a 70-metre corridor covering approximately 269 kilometres. The project forms part of 162 active infrastructure initiatives currently under implementation by the Commission.
Ombati assured county leaders that the acquisition process would be guided by transparency, fairness, and strict adherence to legal procedures. He highlighted the establishment of Grievance Redress Committees at various levels to promptly address concerns and complaints, underscoring the Commission’s commitment to inclusive stakeholder engagement.
Governor Nyong’o, speaking on behalf of the county leadership, welcomed the project and affirmed Kisumu’s readiness to support its implementation. He described the railway extension as a transformative undertaking with far-reaching economic implications for the county and the larger western region.
According to the governor, the corridor is expected to expand trade, lower the cost of doing business, stimulate growth of industrial parks, strengthen agricultural value chains, and catalyze investment in warehousing, cold storage, fisheries, and manufacturing.
Other local leaders echoed similar sentiments, pledging cooperation in community mobilization and public awareness to ensure residents understand both the benefits of the project and the processes involved in land acquisition and compensation.
The delegation later conducted a site visit to Kibos, the location earmarked for the project’s official launch, signaling the beginning of intensified preparations ahead of the March 2026 groundbreaking.